HR0455 96TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

HR0455 LRB096 13036 GRL 27328 r

HOUSE RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, The members of the Illinois House of Representatives are pleased to congratulate Dr. David Behlow on the occasion of his appointment to serve as Superintendent of the North Shore Elementary District in Highland Park on July 1, 2009; and

WHEREAS, Dr. David Behlow is a native of Wisconsin; he is a graduate of the Sheboygan public schools and the University of Wisconsin in Green Bay; he earned his Master's Degree in Educational Administration and his Doctorate in Education from the University of Wisconsin in Madison; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Behlow has had a long and distinguished career in education; he began his career as a high school teacher; three years later, he was appointed to serve as an Administrative Associate; he was then offered a position as a high school assistant principal, which led him to move to Minnesota; in Minnesota, he began a 16-year career as a principal, assistant superintendent of instruction, and superintendent of schools; he then accepted a position as superintendent of Oswego Community Unit School District 308, where he served for more than 8 years until he was selected to serve as Superintendent of the North Shore Elementary District in December of 2008; and

WHEREAS, During Dr. Behlow's tenure as superintendent of Oswego Community Unit School District 308, the district built and opened its first school in the Village of Montgomery, Lakewood Creek Elementary; he led the district through a period of unprecedented growth, with the district growing from 9 schools and an enrollment of 7,785 students in 2001 to 19 schools, an enrollment of nearly 15,000 students, and a budget in excess of $246 million at the time of his departure; he kept education as the district's primary goal by setting improvement goals for each of the district's schools and then closely monitoring them for favorable results; he also led successful efforts to secure the community support needed to pass building bond referendums, including one for $450 million, and worked to bring the district's management of its multiple building projects into the 21st century; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Behlow has been an active member of numerous service groups and organizations; he is vice-president of the Oswego Economic Development Committee; he serves on the board of directors of the Heritage Group YMCA and two chambers of commerce; he also serves as a member of the local Optimist and Rotary Clubs; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Behlow is a die-hard fan of the Green Bay Packers; and

WHEREAS, Dr. Behlow has developed a sterling reputation for his tireless work to ensure each student develops the capacity to thrive, as well as his passion for education and his immense experience, traits that will undoubtedly serve him well in his new position; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE NINETY-SIXTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, that we congratulate Dr. David Behlow on the occasion of his appointment to serve as Superintendent of the North Shore Elementary District and wish him success and happiness in his new position; and be it further

RESOLVED, That a suitable copy of this resolution be presented to Dr. David Behlow as a symbol of our esteem and respect.